A Central Asian City on the Rise

Filed in archive Cities on December 16, 2007

Kazakhstan is, perhaps, being frivolous with its new found oil wealth. The main streets of Almaty, the largest city in the largest of the Central Asian republics (the 'stans), are beginning to resemble those of a major European or American city.

Ilan Greenberg of the New York Times explains the scene:

Kazakhstan's largest city [referring to Almaty] is flush with nightclubs and exotic restaurants. The city's main boulevards are lined with English-language signs; boutiques sell everything from Armani to gem-encrusted Vertu cellphones, and cafes serve the latest in overpriced coffee concoctions.

Almaty is known for its diverse population. Most people speak Russian in addition to Kazakh. But every ethnicity from China's Uighur to Northwest Europe's Latvians is represented in the city.

Almaty's infrastructure is good. Perhaps this is the basis for pointing to the city's tourist potential. Though there are few licensed taxis, there is a very good public transit system (of buses and trolleys). Privately owned mini-buses, called Marshrutkis, are a bit more expensive, but also a bit more convenient.

Central Asia is noted for its rugged beauty. Almaty is a good base for exploring the surrounding mountains and, Charyn, the world's second deepest canyon. The northern latitude means that Almaty is a great place for winter sports. The city aspires to host the winter Olympics. The way things are developing now, that seems like a possibility sometime in the not-to-far-off future.